Jones School Board Fellows

Mission

The Rice Board Fellows program aims to match talented, energetic, and committed Rice MBA students with local nonprofit organizations in an effort to increase capacity in the nonprofit sector while providing members with an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. At its highest level, the program brings valuable business skills to non-profits and allows non-profits to cultivate potential new board members, while exposing Board Fellows members to “real life” non-profit management and governance.

Program Objectives

Prepare Rice MBA students to be socially responsible leaders through service on non-profit boards.

Support non-profits by applying Fellows’ professional experiences and academic background to solve strategic, organizational, and operational issues that enhance the work of the board.

Build the Jones School’s reputation of producing socially responsible, community-oriented leaders while making a positive impact on the Houston community.

Responsibilities of a Board Fellow

Serve as a non-voting board member

Attend all board meetings and serve on a board committee

Commit approximately the same amount of time to the board as a full board member

Help with and attend special events, as student’s schedule allows

Responsibilities of the Organization

Provide a mentor who will who will help orient the Fellow to the workings of the Board and be available to answer questions and address concerns

Provide a formal orientation to the organization's work and expectations for board members

Communicate consistently and provide feedback about the progress of the Board Fellow

Selection ProcessBoth students and boards apply to be a part of the program and are matched based on the mutual interest of both parties. Participating non-profit organizations are selected through a simple application process. For selection, organizations should demonstrate regular and efficient opportunities for the Fellow to participate in board proceedings and the promise of a high-quality mentorship relationship. JSBF aims to place Fellows on boards from every sector, including those with local, regional, and national orientations.

Officers 2014-2015

Non-Profit Partners

We are always looking for dynamic non profit's to partner with! Interested in having a RICE MBA on your nonprofit board? Please complete and return the Non Profit Application or contact Donna Platt at donna.m.platt@rice.edu or 713-348-3724 for more information.